Royal meeting: Sultan Ibrahim granting an audience to Anwar at Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Baru. Also present is Tunku Ismail (right). — Bernama
JOHOR BARU: A large crowd gathered around Kampung Melayu Majidee as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made his first working visit to Johor since assuming the premiership more than a month ago.
The Prime Minister, who arrived at a murtabak restaurant in the village here at about noon, was greeted by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
It was the first time the two leaders were meeting face-to-face after the Tambun MP was appointed to head the country’s first ever unity government on Nov 24.
The two leaders, along with other state and federal representatives, were seen having a meal together before heading to the nearby Masjid Kampung Melayu Majidee for Friday prayers.
Also present were Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, Johor youth, sports, entrepreneur development, cooperatives and human resources committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah as well as Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
Anwar was at the restaurant for about 20 minutes and spent some time greeting the crowd who was eager to see him.
Chants of “refomarsi” also rang out among the crowd.
Before performing Friday prayers with Onn Hafiz and Akmal Nasrullah, Anwar signed a plaque at the mosque to commemorate his visit there for a second time after 27 years.
After performing his prayers, Anwar addressed the crowd waiting for him outside the mosque before rushing to the airport for his flight home.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was granted an audience with Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar at Iskandar Bukit Serene at around 10.30am.
This was the second time that Anwar was granted an audience with the Johor Sultan, following the one in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 27, three days after his appointment.
Also present during the one-hour meeting was Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Akmal Nasrullah, who is also Johor Baru MP, said Anwar’s visit to the mosque was merely a trip down memory lane as he had officiated at the opening of the mosque back in 1995 during his tenure as the deputy prime minister then.
“Now, he has come here again but as the Prime Minister, so there is nostalgia behind it.
“He is also accompanied by Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and a few state exco members and I hope we can continue to strengthen the cooperation between the federal and state governments,” he said.
